The third day was our actual anniversary. We tried to book a helicopter tour, but it was unavailable. Instead, we went to a botanical garden, which we always enjoy. We also saw a bunch of brochures about sunset sails, but it seemed like the majority of them were party boats. The concierge at the hotel suggested a different type of sailing experience, and so that’s how we ended our day.

 

Key West Garden & Sunset Sail

02/27/19—03/04/19

The Sheraton had a nice deck by the pool where we got breakfast every morning. After breakfast, we went to the Key West Tropical Forest and Garden. It wasn’t very big, but we always enjoy strolling through gardens.

There were these little interesting spiders all over the place that looked like they had faces on their bellies. We saw barbwire cactus, bees pollinating, and sat on a throne that was carved from a tree that fell during Hurricane Irma. Of course, we saw flowers and a big turtle pond as well.

After the garden stroll, we went to lunch at a nearby marina. We saw pelicans and there was also a manatee eating by the dock. It’s always a good day when you see a manatee.

We went back to the pool and hung out for a while, just waiting for cookie hour to begin!

It was time for our Anniversary Sunset Cruise. The When and If was a schooner commissioned by General Patton and built in 1939. Patton said, “When the ware is over, and if I live through it, Bea (his wife) and I are going to sail her around the world.” Well, he lived through the war, but he died in a car accident shortly thereafter, so he never sailed the shipped. Madeline helped raise the sails and we checked out the living quarters in the hull.

We even took turns at the helm right before it was time for the real show. The sunset was fantastic!

After the cruise, we were dropped off on Duval Street and we went to Mangoes, where we had an okay dinner and a wonderful slice of key lime pie.